Source: Global Esports Management (GEM) press materials
Global Esports Management (GEM) has announced that their client NesTea is a free agent. Nestea's contract with Incredible Miracle ran out as of March 31st, separating him with his team of over three years.
According to GEM, IM head coach Kang Dong hoon (aka Hirai) negotiated with Nestea over a long period of time, but in the end agreed to end the contract in order to develop newer players.
Mr. Kang said "As a player who was one of our founding members and set a great example for the team as the oldest player, I want to tell him he's done a great job. There were a lot of tough things that happened during our not-so-short time together, and each of those times Nestea was the reason IM was able to stay together. I hope he does well in whatever he pursues going forward, and from now on I'll cheer for him as a friend."
Nestea said "I'm thankful to head coach Kang for letting me continue my career as a player, which was a dream that I had thought was drifting away. I want to thank the IM players who have followed me this far as the oldest member of the team."
GEM stated their intent to find Nestea a new team that will support his active participation in future tournaments.
Well this is actually quite surprising, but understandable I guess... I wonder what his role inside the team was and how will his departure affect the team spirit and mentality?
I really don't like stuff like this for april fools, if it is. I'm not kidding about a bomb in bagdad just to be funny and because it is 1/4 either. Funny jokes, okay. This is pretty plausible and a lot of people care if it were true
On April 01 2014 08:52 teddyoojo wrote: wouldnt be surprised at all if this is real theres not really a point in keeping him, hed be off much better with a foreign team
That makes no sense. He's a critical reason as to why IM found so much success in the beginning. The other players apparently respect him for his insights as well.
Nestea's days as a player are probably behind him regardless and he doesn't do good when going abroad. So if he's not staying on IM to work behind the scenes with Hirai I'd think he'd just retire completely.
Guessing IM wanted to keep him on as a coach, but NesTea wanted to keep playing? Interesting. Guess NesTea knows he can always be a coach later, whether with IM or KT.
I would retire or coach if I were him. He has not been competitive in a tournament in some time. My favorite Zerg player and really lead innovation of the race back in Wings of Liberty. For a long time, he was best Zerg in the world.
This has the potential to be real. Nestea still has his military service to do.
That said it's April 1st and 99.99999999% of the stuff labeled news on the internet is total bullshit so really who the hell knows. GEM doesn't have a website to try and verify the news and OP has no source.
So this gets the Plausible stamp from Mythbusters. Not Confirmed
The thing is, even if it was an April fools, it isn't funny. It's like calling someone and telling him "your grandmother's dead !". It doesn't look like an April fools to me and I fear we're turning a page of Starcraft history.
On April 01 2014 09:15 [PkF] Wire wrote: The thing is, even if it was an April fools, it isn't funny. It's like calling someone and telling him "your grandmother's dead !". It doesn't look like an April fools to me and I fear we're turning a page of Starcraft history.
Nothing to be afraid of! A legend past his prime stepping down is his choice to make and I'm sure he will continue to have an impact in Korean SC2. That is if he retires.
I wonder if Nestea would ever make the move towards coaching. I know that as things get more and more competitive, it will be hard (if not impossible) to regain the dominance he once had, but given his leadership with eSF and IM, it seems like he could be a good coach or team manager.
Really, I'd just hate to see him leave the SC2 scene.
On April 01 2014 09:28 jakethesnake wrote: I wonder if Nestea would ever make the move towards coaching. I know that as things get more and more competitive, it will be hard (if not impossible) to regain the dominance he once had, but given his leadership with eSF and IM, it seems like he could be a good coach or team manager.
Really, I'd just hate to see him leave the SC2 scene.
I was kind of under the impression that he kind of does that already on IM. He's their "captain" and one of the most experienced players they have who is not really competative anymore. The transitioin to full coach would probably be very simple for him.
On April 01 2014 09:28 jakethesnake wrote: I wonder if Nestea would ever make the move towards coaching. I know that as things get more and more competitive, it will be hard (if not impossible) to regain the dominance he once had, but given his leadership with eSF and IM, it seems like he could be a good coach or team manager.
Really, I'd just hate to see him leave the SC2 scene.
He has already been a coach so it's not out of the question.
On April 01 2014 08:58 bokchoi wrote: Guessing IM wanted to keep him on as a coach, but NesTea wanted to keep playing? Interesting. Guess NesTea knows he can always be a coach later, whether with IM or KT.
Sounds like this is the case, judging from the OP. Wouldn't be surprised to see him play a few months, maybe a year, on a foreign team, travelling and getting the famous-player-invite to ASUS ROG and the likes, before he returns to IM to coach full time.
On April 01 2014 09:15 [PkF] Wire wrote: The thing is, even if it was an April fools, it isn't funny. It's like calling someone and telling him "your grandmother's dead !". It doesn't look like an April fools to me and I fear we're turning a page of Starcraft history.
in america terms, its probably not funny, there are more extreme stuff in korea that is considered normal
Sad to see this happen. So many awesome memories of IM.NesTea. Hopefully he stays in the industry as a coach or player manager, but if not, I wish him all the best.
I don't think this is a joke seeing as Nestea hasn't made much of an impact in individual tournments for quite a bit of time now. He can probably work as a coach in IM though but who knows what he has in mind.
I hope this is a really well coordinated April Fools day joke. It was always cool seeing NesTea at Proleague, and it's a shame he never got to play.... I wish him good luck and I don't know why this news bothers me.
On April 01 2014 10:20 ZAiNs wrote: Why would anyone think this is an April Fool's Joke? NesTea hasn't been good for ages and isn't relevant any more unfortunately.
He's still in WCS AM Premier League every season. There are players who are way more irrelevant .
On April 01 2014 10:20 ZAiNs wrote: Why would anyone think this is an April Fool's Joke? NesTea hasn't been good for ages and isn't relevant any more unfortunately.
He's still in WCS AM Premier League every season. There are players who are way more irrelevant .
same... 'relevant' meant by zains means sacking 65k~
I wouldn't be surprised if Nestea were to find a team and only stayed for half a year (at most) then decided to retire. He's 31, which is considered old for a progamer :\ I dont want to see him go either. If he does leave the scene, which I hope he doesn't, the name Nestea would forever live down as one of the best zergs to ever play this game. Kinda like Fruitdealer :D
On April 01 2014 10:39 Advantageous wrote:If he does leave the scene, which I hope he doesn't, the name Nestea would forever live down as one of the best zergs to ever play this game. Kinda like Fruitdealer :D
Kinda sad, but at the same time this isn't the kind of team-leaving message I really dread. If he retires, it will be on his own terms. He will go out being known as one of the best players of all time as well as that nagging thought in the back of Artosis's mind keeping him up at night wondering what could be. He came, he played, and he sure as hell conquered. Not every career can last forever, but his was filled with success. Plus now he's married! :D (Not like MKP married actually you know married). Good luck in everything you do in the future, especially if that is more SC2 :D
I also have hunch that this is an April Fool's joke, sort of the coup de grace of the esports efforts to fool the fans. Look at all the news outlets working together, and TeamLiquid Esports making the post. But I will save the above paragraph for when he does actually leave/retire :D
Well this is certainly surprising... Nestea has become such an integral part of IM's image, it's hard to imagine either of them without each other. I'm just glad to hear he's not retiring. Wonder who's gonna pick him up
On April 01 2014 10:20 ZAiNs wrote: Why would anyone think this is an April Fool's Joke? NesTea hasn't been good for ages and isn't relevant any more unfortunately.
He's still in WCS AM Premier League every season. There are players who are way more irrelevant .
He's not doing very well though, and it's super hard to get knocked out of WCS AM/EU unlike Korea.
Seems like the cool thing to do for April Fool's is to announce things which aren't funny but might be possible, purely to confuse people. That seems kind of dumb.
Either that or neither IM's nor Valve's PR guys own calendars.
Ok so regardless of how official the source is, it's totally bizarre and stupid to make these kind of announcements on april 1st. Hence I'll remain skeptical for a bit, even though it wouldn't exactly be that surprising if Nestea was retiring.
Doesn't sound at all like he's retiring to me, he's talking of "continue my career as a player, which was a dream that I had thought was drifting away".
On April 01 2014 12:09 Belisarius wrote: Seems like the cool thing to do for April Fool's is to announce things which aren't funny but might be possible, purely to confuse people. That seems kind of dumb.
Either that or neither IM's nor Valve's PR guys own calendars.
I think this one is a set up joke for his sons getting recruited by IM
I read the thread and honestly if they are going to make a joke of it then it would have to have a next team in line or some sort of mass exodus of players from one team to another. As it stands, the release is just sad. If it is a joke it is in horrible taste.
Unfortunately is not an april joke. But we have to be realists and Nestea did a good step, leaving his place for younger players. He is incredible powerful for a person of his age, but he's no longer a top zerg player. If IM find a good substitute, may be they shall perform better in the Proleague in the near future. Nestea won everything he desired for and he can't regret for anything.
On April 01 2014 12:09 Belisarius wrote: Seems like the cool thing to do for April Fool's is to announce things which aren't funny but might be possible, purely to confuse people. That seems kind of dumb.
Either that or neither IM's nor Valve's PR guys own calendars.
I think this one is a set up joke for his sons getting recruited by IM
I'm on board with the idea that his son joining IM would be a joke, though this seems legit. Doesn't seem like he's retiring, seems, based on his statement, that he wants to do more gaming and less management stuff. At least that's my interpretation, I aint exactly an insider.
So, if this is not an April Fools joke, why would anyone make such an announcement on April 1st? Couldn't you just wait a day, or push this announcement out a day earlier?
On April 01 2014 18:10 UmberBane wrote: So, if this is not an April Fools joke, why would anyone make such an announcement on April 1st? Couldn't you just wait a day, or push this announcement out a day earlier?
Maybe the first person who made the announcement didn't pay attention ? Why does it HAVE to be an april fool ?
On April 01 2014 18:10 UmberBane wrote: So, if this is not an April Fools joke, why would anyone make such an announcement on April 1st? Couldn't you just wait a day, or push this announcement out a day earlier?
Maybe the first person who made the announcement didn't pay attention ? Why does it HAVE to be an april fool ?
it would be in really bad tast if it were a joke imo. not fun at all for his fans.
I was shocked when i first saw it but in case GEM finds a suitable team for him we might see him at some foreign events, And wouldn't that be awesome? :D
True or not, today seems like a poor choice timing wise when releasing information like this. Most people probably won't take it seriously regardless of how many confirmed sources there are lol.
On April 01 2014 21:14 SeriousLus wrote: finally.. he played like a noob the last 15-18 months still sad as f*** - was one of the best Zerg ever - only not adaptable enough to still be...
lol? ever consider that sometimes people just get on in years and lose stamina, patience and passion for the game, just like in a physical sport? i love sc but i sure as hell wouldn't want to play it as an obligation 8+ hours a day for years and years.
On April 01 2014 21:14 SeriousLus wrote: finally.. he played like a noob the last 15-18 months still sad as f*** - was one of the best Zerg ever - only not adaptable enough to still be...
lol? ever consider that sometimes people just get on in years and lose stamina, patience and passion for the game, just like in a physical sport? i love sc but i sure as hell wouldn't want to play it as an obligation 8+ hours a day for years and years.
Plus, people tend to forget he played Brood War for a good amount of time before switching to SC2 as well, even though he wasn't remotely as successful back then.
On April 01 2014 21:14 SeriousLus wrote: finally.. he played like a noob the last 15-18 months still sad as f*** - was one of the best Zerg ever - only not adaptable enough to still be...
lol? ever consider that sometimes people just get on in years and lose stamina, patience and passion for the game, just like in a physical sport? i love sc but i sure as hell wouldn't want to play it as an obligation 8+ hours a day for years and years.
Plus, people tend to forget he played Brood War for a good amount of time before switching to SC2 as well, even though he wasn't remotely as successful back then.
He wasn't successful in Brood War period. Military + 2 on 2 ruined all his chances of ever becoming a 1 v 1 star and he actually went on to coach for KT. He kinda made a comeback with SC2 and finally got the glory he never came close to in sc1. He was somewhat decent in like 2000/2001 when he won a lot of smaller tournaments. A person that has already endured years and years of being mediocre sure as hell won't retire. His results are still somewhat ok, it's just bad when you compare it to winning code s without dropping a single map.
Don't know what he's going to do... I always hope he'll be back on track, but I guess that's up to him. Thanks for your almot perfect GSL run, for the "best" GSL finals, for so many dreams and for creating the universe whole, Nestea.
Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
On April 02 2014 04:51 levelping wrote: Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
On April 02 2014 04:51 levelping wrote: Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
Thanks a lot........ Now I have to walk around with a boner at work ugh!!!!!!!!!
On April 02 2014 04:51 levelping wrote: Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
Thanks a lot........ Now I have to walk around with a boner at work ugh!!!!!!!!!
but all jokes aside that would be awesome...
in case you guys were living under a rock MC already joined IM for 2012 GSTL alongside Nestea and Mvp
On April 02 2014 04:51 levelping wrote: Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
Thanks a lot........ Now I have to walk around with a boner at work ugh!!!!!!!!!
but all jokes aside that would be awesome...
in case you guys were living under a rock MC already joined IM for 2012 GSTL alongside Nestea and Mvp
On April 02 2014 04:51 levelping wrote: Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
Thanks a lot........ Now I have to walk around with a boner at work ugh!!!!!!!!!
but all jokes aside that would be awesome...
in case you guys were living under a rock MC already joined IM for 2012 GSTL alongside Nestea and Mvp
thanks for the insult...... I know that he Joined IM for 2012 GSTL.. but what u dont understand is, that its more about getting excited for the return of OGS( Old Generations. in case u wasn't around in 2010).... next time dont insult....(also I know OGS isn't returning)
On April 02 2014 04:51 levelping wrote: Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
Thanks a lot........ Now I have to walk around with a boner at work ugh!!!!!!!!!
but all jokes aside that would be awesome...
in case you guys were living under a rock MC already joined IM for 2012 GSTL alongside Nestea and Mvp
thanks for the insult...... I know that he Joined IM for 2012 GSTL.. but what u dont understand is, that its more about getting excited for the return of OGS( Old Generations. in case u wasn't around in 2010).... next time dont insult....(also I know OGS isn't returning)
Damn, you should call the feelings police for that heavy insult.
I will never forget Nestea, first time i see muta ling/ mass spines strat it was Nestea vs Genius on xelnaga, my mind was blow! Good luck in the futur Nestea!
On April 02 2014 04:51 levelping wrote: Think about this. Nestea joins up with mc. They convince mvp to come over. The three kings of the golden age of sc2 now in a team. Which can be called: Old Generations. OGS.mc is back!!!
Now tell me you didn't get an erection reading that.
Thanks a lot........ Now I have to walk around with a boner at work ugh!!!!!!!!!
but all jokes aside that would be awesome...
in case you guys were living under a rock MC already joined IM for 2012 GSTL alongside Nestea and Mvp
thanks for the insult...... I know that he Joined IM for 2012 GSTL.. but what u dont understand is, that its more about getting excited for the return of OGS( Old Generations. in case u wasn't around in 2010).... next time dont insult....(also I know OGS isn't returning)
Don't mind him. Some people can be negative nancies. We have an erection.
NesTea's bit read like he's considering retirement in a few years. It sounds like he's looking for a foreign team that will allow him to travel to all the major tournaments, in on last hurrah. Though, I would not be opposed to this, at all, because NESTEEEEEAAAAAAAAAA!
Farethewell Nestea, some of the most surprising and innovative play at the start of SC2 and such a strong strategic grasp of the game that only MVP seemed to have better.
I hope whatever you do next you're equally successful!
Nestea gonna be a sick good coach.. But his player carreer has long gone now.. Not because of him, but also cause of the newcommers - SC2 has the sickest competition levels than ever before IMO
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
That literally came out of nowhere. I don't even know how you made that jump with what we have in this thread. The guy is a legend and one of the oldest progamers now.
I really thought this was an April fool's joke. Absolutely heart breaking. Nestea not playing well the last two or so years has been sad enough for me, but this? Devastating news.
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
That literally came out of nowhere. I don't even know how you made that jump with what we have in this thread. The guy is a legend and one of the oldest progamers now.
Person who's been into progaming for what, 12-13 years(?) decides it might be best to not re-sign with his current team. This may or may not even entail retirement for all we know.
Clearly this means sc2 ded gaem.
I'm struggling to understand why lessQQmorePEWPEW is still allowed to post here when all he does is spew drivel like this.
On April 03 2014 13:48 LimitSEA wrote: I really thought this was an April fool's joke. Absolutely heart breaking. Nestea not playing well the last two or so years has been sad enough for me, but this? Devastating news.
Well if the announcement is true, we can always believe in the team that will give NesTea a glorious retirement.
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
That would be quite funny.
@lqqmpp => If Pornstars contracts expires, would people stop having sex. Would humanity disapears ? Am i doing that right ?
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
That would be quite funny.
@lqqmpp => If Pornstars contracts expires, would people stop having sex. Would humanity disapears ? Am i doing that right ?
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
That would be quite funny.
@lqqmpp => If Pornstars contracts expires, would people stop having sex. Would humanity disapears ? Am i doing that right ?
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
That would be quite funny.
@lqqmpp => If Pornstars contracts expires, would people stop having sex. Would humanity disapears ? Am i doing that right ?
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
That would be quite funny.
@lqqmpp => If Pornstars contracts expires, would people stop having sex. Would humanity disapears ? Am i doing that right ?
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
That would be quite funny.
@lqqmpp => If Pornstars contracts expires, would people stop having sex. Would humanity disapears ? Am i doing that right ?
On April 03 2014 11:46 lessQQmorePEWPEW wrote: if they dont make the next sc2 expansion free, this game will soon become extinct. so many players are getting out of the scene for better pastures.
If you work at a shoe factory and your contract expires, will people in the world stop wearing shoes all of a sudden?
That would be quite funny.
@lqqmpp => If Pornstars contracts expires, would people stop having sex. Would humanity disapears ? Am i doing that right ?
EPT
NesTea is a free agent. Nestea's contract with Incredible Miracle ran out as of March 31st, separating him with his team of over three years.
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